‘Overnight Sensation’ that is Tom Rush at Firehouse

Thursday

Jan 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — Miles Davis said “Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself ...” Tom Rush sounds just like himself. And maybe he sounds even better than ever before; proving once again that indeed, with age, some things do get better. Listening to an original recording of one of Tom’s songs like “Child’s Song” (written by Murray McLauchlan) the clarity of Rush’s youthful voice is expected and the emotion of the lyrics easily comes through, but then listen to that same song performed at a recent concert and it’s as if the accumulating years have added facets to the interpretation of the song that come through to the listener as a richer, more complex experience. Whatever it is, you don’t want to miss this music legend this time around.

Tom Rush will be appearing at the Firehouse Center for the Arts (Market Square, Newburyport) for two shows on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and fans are advised to act quickly to avoid disappointment. Tickets are $32 for Members and $35 for Non-Members; and may be purchased in person at the Box Office (Wed-Sun, 12N-5P), by calling 978/462-7336, or online at www.firehouse.org

Tom Rush got his start at the tender age of 17, when he was a regular at the Cambridge folk club institution known as Club 47. At the time he was an English major with no thoughts of becoming a “star” ... he just loved the music and Club 47 provided him access to more of it, not just as a performer but also as a fan. Rush will also tease and tell you his fondness for the club was because it gave him access to girls — at least we think he is teasing. Before he graduated from Harvard he had recorded two albums, and had become friends with, and personal advocate for, many individuals who would go on to become household names of American culture.

Rolling Stone Magazine has called Rush “the father of the singer-songwriter” and numerous musical super stars claim him as a major inspiration on their careers. By covering the songs of fellow players James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan and others in those early days, Rush helped to introduce the music of a generation to a burgeoning fan-base across the country.

Ultimately though, Rush opted for a life of simplicity and quiet as opposed to the bright lights of fame. That other life was within his reach, the one of fame and fortune — he certainly had the talent and the je ne sais quois that is part of the aura of our public idols — but for Tom, he and his guitar are enough. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. “No smoke, No mirrors, no dancing girls ...” says Rush. Keeping it simple gives him a direct line to each member in the audience and that is what he has traditionally strived for: to make a connection with each and every member in his audience.

When this writer first heard Tom Rush perform, Emmy Lou Harris’ hair was not yet gray and neither was mine ... yes, it was a very long time ago. The venue was a small coffee shop in Ithaca, NY — the sort of place where Rush excels. Between the quality of the music and the droll humor of the stories coming across the intimate space, Rush was able to connect with every person in the place and the memory of that charismatic force just stuck all through the ensuing years; like it most surely did for all the other coffee-shop audience members across the country who were slowly but steadily adding up to major concert hall statistics for Rush, at least in the aggregate.

Fast-forward four-plus decades to when Rush included on his album Trolling for Owls (2005) his version of a Steven Walters song. A year or so later it was suggested by Tom that a video clip of Rush performing “The Remember Song” be uploaded onto www.tomrush.com. Soon after, the song went viral and to date has received almost 6.5 million hits. To many, watching that video caused something to stir in their musical memories. As others like me came out of the woodwork (“lapsed fans” Rush calls us), it turned the spotlight onto Rush as never before. It is ironic that the technology age helped to propel this reluctant star (…”Why do I need a cell phone and a beeper? For a folk song emergency?”) into the limelight and introduced him to even more new fans than ever before. It may in fact be that Tom Rush has gained more celebrity now than at any other time in his career.

Tom Rush will no doubt belittle the fame that he has achieved. He is that kind of guy — somewhat self-deprecating, very down-to-earth and possessing scads of personal warmth that will reach across any space; and yes, he will touch “You” if you happen to be seated at the particular venue where he is performing. He is definitely that kind of guy.

For those of you who have never seen Tom Rush perform, put this event, on your calendar. For you “lapsed fans,” perhaps it’s time for a booster performance; and for you die-hard fans: see you at the show.

About The Firehouse Center for the Arts- The Firehouse Center for the Arts is a member-based organization located on the waterfront in Newburyport, with a 195-seat theater. The Firehouse offers “arts inspired experiences” including film, dance, theater, concerts, children’s programming, a new works festival, and an art gallery which exhibits works by local and international artists. The Firehouse is handicap accessible.